Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennie Gao, founder of Versine Skincare, located in Albany, New York, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We create eco-luxe skincare backed by science and experts that are safe for pregnancy and nursing. Our serums cater to expectant moms and skincare lovers who don't want to compromise on efficacy, thoughtful design, or safety.
Tell us about yourself
I was working as a domestic violence prosecutor and pregnant when I got the idea for Versine. I was tired all the time, and my skin was also suffering. Then I found out that there were actually a lot of skincare ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy, and it added to my stress.
I wanted products that addressed the needs of my changing skin, were easy to use, and made me feel good about myself during an overwhelming time, but I couldn't find them on the market. I founded Versine to address those pain points for other women and to bring a little joy and indulgence. My husband joined me on the journey, and now we run Versine together.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are super proud of our two debut serums. We worked with experts - an OBGYN, a dermatologist, a dermatologist resident, and a cosmetic formulator with a PhD in organic chemistry - to create them. And they took much longer to formulate than expected because we really wanted to get them right.
Because of our audience and our brand's purpose, we had to avoid a lot of ingredients in order to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve, but it was also important to me to have efficacious products that did more than just moisturize. Our final products address skin issues that are common during pregnancy, like acne and hyperpigmentation, in addition to being safe with conscious packaging.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It was figuring out when to seek help and expertise. I knew I needed outside expertise for the product, but after that, it's difficult to know when you should use your limited resources to hire someone with expertise versus figuring it out yourself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Speak to a lot of people before starting (i.e., potential customers and anyone in a similar field who is willing to chat). I found that doing my research ahead of time helped me to challenge my assumptions and avoid common missteps. That's not to say that my business is smooth-sailing, but I know my conversations helped me avoid a lot of headaches.
- Support the people who work with you, both professionally and emotionally. Everyone wants to be valued.
- Get Canva.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.versineskincare.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/versineskincare/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/versineskincare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/versineskincare
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/versine/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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